Arnita Shuler

Arnita Marie Lawson Shuler was born on July 25, 1940, in Fingerville (Fingerhut), South Carolina to Lucian A. Lawson and Zelma Weatherly Lawson. During her childhood she lived in South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Arnita graduated from Blountville High School, Sullivan County, Tennessee in June of 1960. She married Thomas Bradford Shuler on June 13, 1963, and they had two children, Nancy and Michael. The family moved to Florida in 1969.

Arnita received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Palm Beach Junior College and worked for many years as a Pre-school/Montessori teacher and Pre-school Director until her retirement. Arnita enjoyed crafts and helping Tom with his woodworking. They were active in the local Baptist church and various charities. Arnita was a member of the Eastern Star since the early 1970s. Arnita and Tom were very active in their church until health would no longer allow. Following Tom’s passing in 2010, she continued to live in Lake City, Florida and was very active with the Shoe Box program through Samaritan Purse.

Following a major illness in September of 2023, Arnita moved to Pierre, South Dakota to be closer to her daughter’s family. She resided at Highmore Health from July 2023 to early January 2024 and at Avantara Pierre from January 2024 until her death. Arnita discovered that she was very good at bingo and enjoyed visits from her family.

Arnita passed away on July 18, 2025, at Avera St Mary’s Hospital following a short critical illness. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lucian & Zelma Lawson, her sister, Betty Sue Lawson Sharitz, and her husband, Thomas Bradford Shuler. She is survived by, her daughter, Nancy Shuler Giovanetti (Paul); her son, Michael Shuler (Tammy Scott); her four grandchildren, Paul Michel Giovanetti (Brianne), Christina Hannon, Elizabeth Giovanetti (Sean Fink) and Victoria Hannon Nisbet (Steven); her eleven great-grandchildren, Isabella Giovanetti, Liam Giovanetti, Gianna Giovanetti, Emiliana Giovanetti, Damien Tarsek, Robert Tarsek, Vincent Tarsek, Mary Tarsek, Giavanni Nisbet, Cecilia Nisbet, Aurora Nisbet; her brothers, Lucian Lawson Jr., Billy Lawson (Dinah) and Thomas Lawson and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private viewing for family will be held at Rush Funeral Home in Philip, South Dakota and the internment will be at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL in the near future with no grave side service planned. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to charities and organizations Arnita supported: Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Defenders of Wildlife, Samaritan Purse, Americans for Constitutional Liberty, National Rifle Association and Hillsdale College.

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